County Kildare News

At this time of year we are thinking of Christmas and what better way to enjoy your turkey dinner than by adding a spoonful of homemade cranberry sauce. Or how about welcoming family and friends with a real treat of cranberry muffins and cranberry shortbread. The Irish Peatland Conservation Council want you to get cooking this Christmas and enjoy the festive cranberries from the bog.  You can download recipes for making cranberry sauce, muffins and shortbread from IPCC’s website at www.ipcc.ie or contact the IPCC at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre on 045-860133 and we would be happy to send you the cranberry recipes by post.

When people think of a bog they often think of turf.  However bogs have many other uses that make them important. They are a source of food (see Editors note 1).  At this time of year the bright red berry of the cranberry is ripe for harvest.

America and Canada are the largest producers of cranberries in the world however many people forget that cranberries are one of Ireland’s wild berries that can be found growing on bogs.  During the summer you can identify cranberries on the bog by their bright pink flower and small evergreen leaves on a low creeping stem or vine.   The berries of cranberry are initially white and then ripen into a bright red berry which has a bitter sweet taste.   They are ready for harvest every year between September and November.
 
 
Editors Note: Food from the bogs includes Heather honey with its delicious sweet taste and blueberries or frochans collected in the summer are a fantastic addition to any fruit salad.

Other beneficial uses of bogs include controlling flooding, as naturally bogs store water. They can be called carbon stores as they are made up of dead plant material that is undecomposed. They are a habitat for a selection of Irish wildlife including heather which is known as lucky charm, bog cotton that was once spun to make cotton for making clothes and sphagnum moss was used as a wound dressing during World War I.

North Kildare Chamber, with the support of Naas Town Council, are delighted to announce that a marketing fund is now available for Naas Town, and this project has recently gone out to tender.  

The Chamber and Council have jointly agreed to seek expressions of interest from experienced marketing professionals to develop a plan for Naas.  The primary focus of this plan is to identify a list of achievable actions taking cognisance of all aspects of life in the town of Naas, so as to increase visitation, spur economic development, improve shopping experience, offer a sense of place/community and enhance business success.

This marketing/branding exercise will aim to raise the local, regional, national and international profile of the town of Naas, so as to boost the local economy with increasing visitor foot-fall, and help make local businesses more sustainable while enhancing the internal social cohesion of the community in the process.

The Chamber and Council wish the exercise  to identify the key characteristics and strengths of the town such as our market town heritage, our tourist, our high street fashion , and to ultimately create and develop  a marketing/brand plan for Naas. This process will also identify and develop an on-line and social media marketing solutions.

The fund is accessed from the Innovation and Business Fund which the Council approved nearly 12 months ago and which received councilor’s approval this month. 

Eilis Quinlan, North Kildare Chamber President said “At long last we are now in a position to help the rate payers in Naas, by using this fund to help businesses prosper in the town.  The Chamber over the past year has worked tirelessly to obtain council approval to access this fund, and we hope that once this marketing plan is completed, we will continue to support projects that wish to access the remainder of the fund”.

Kilcock branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireannwill continue their Traditional Music, Sean-nos dancing, and Set Dancing classes each Monday night in Scoil Dara, Kilcock from 7 – 9pm.

Classes cater for all ages Adults and Children, beginners to experienced.

This year we have classes in in fiddle, banjo, tin whistle, flute, piano and button accordion, pipes, bodhrán and guitar.

Further info from Millie on 086-1780700 or Lisa on 087-2811669.

Email: comhaltascillchoca@gmail.com

Web: https://www.facebook.com/Comhaltascillchoca

New members are always welcome.

We have our monthly session on the 3^rd Sunday of each month in O’Keeffes Lounge, Kilcock. If you play, sing or dance you are welcome to take part or you can join us and enjoy the music. 

North Kildare Chamber today called for a minimum of a 10% rate reduction in Commercial rates for ALL Businesses in Kildare.  Rates are a consistent burden for Business and the cost of commercial rates needs to BE CUT in the forthcoming council budgets for 2013.   Our members already face increased COSTS in water rates and refuse CHARGES and we SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THE RATES AT THEIR EXISTING LEVELS. 

Businesses are cutting costs ACROSS THE BOARD to survive, several by over 40% but areas which are outside their control, such as commercial rates, CONTINUE TO CRUCIFY BUSINESSES IN EVERY SECTOR, AND STUNT GROWTH AND JOB CREATION.  Kildare County Council must now cut their own budgets to meet their means for 2013 and deliver on a rate reduction of a minimum of 10% for business.  This will help BOLSTER businesses for 2013 and will help AID competiveness for inward investment into the county in the forthcoming year. 
 
Areas where cost cutting is out of the owner's control, such as commercial rates, water and fuel charges, waste costs, are all detrimental to the survival of a business, and to to remain competitive and to compete with increased online trade, OUR RATES SIMPLY NEED TO BE LOWERED. 

Eilis Quinlan, Chamber president said this morning,” The Chamber is in constant contact with its members and businesses throughout the county. We have seen really encouraging developments with NEW AND EXISTING ENTERPRISES this year, but constantly we hear one main PROBLEM from business owners – Rates!  Kildare County Council URGENTLY needs to find a 10% reduction in their budget for 2013 and pass it directly on to business.  This will lead to maintaining businesses AND ULTIMATELY JOBS in the forthcoming year.  A minimum of a 10% rate reduction will be a very attractive offer when businesses look at Kildare as a potential place to set up”, Quinlan concluded.

Electric Ireland are delighted to partner with the Road Safety Authority for the third year running to promote road safety among our youngest road users and indeed their families. Since the beginning of this campaign, the RSA and Electric Ireland have distributed over 250,000 high visibility vests to children starting school. This has helped ensure that our youngest and most vulnerable road users are clearly visible on the roads at all times and reflects Electric Ireland’s ongoing commitment to promoting safe road use at all times.

Pictured at the Caragh National School, Naas, Co.Kildare, is the Junior Infants Class along with Maria Dunne, acting Principal; Elaine Dunleavy, Class Teacher and John Conlon Electric Ireland.

Former US President, Bill Clinton presented two Kildare VEC students with All Ireland Scholarships at a ceremony held on Sat, 17th November at the University of Limerick. 

Joel Akinola from Athy College, and Katie Curran from Maynooth Post Primary School, were each awarded a scholarship valued at €6,750 per annum, which will continue for the duration of their chosen undergraduate programmes. 

In addition, the scholarship holders qualify for participation in the annual Washington Ireland Programme Internship Scheme.

Joel Akinola obtained 570 points in his Leaving Certificate and is now studying Biomedical Health and Life Sciences in UCD, while Katie Curran obtained 580 points in her Leaving Cert and is now studying Teacher Training at Froebel College of Education in Blackrock.
 
The All Ireland Scholarships have been sponsored by J.P. McManus since 2008, and this year one hundred and twenty five students received scholarships.  Mr. McManus has contributed in excess of €30million to the scheme since its inception, and over 1,300 students from the 32 counties have already benefited from the programme.

Speaking at the ceremony Mr. McManus said, “Your academic achievements, combined with the dedication and support of your parents and teachers, has earned you this terrific opportunity. Go forward with enthusiasm and hard work and the world is your oyster."

Former President Bill Clinton gave an inspiring address to the students and 600 invited guests and spoke about how he started his education on a scholarship at Georgetown University. It was this scholarship he said, that started him on his path to education and the road to success.

The Chairman of County Kildare VEC, Cllr. Mark Wall, joined with the VEC members in congratulating the students at last weeks VEC monthly meeting and said, "I am delighted that two students attending County Kildare VEC schools were recipients of these prestigious awards; congratulations to everyone associated with their education". The Chairman further remarked, “it’s great to see a student from my home town of Athy being one of the recipients of these awards". The VEC will honour these students at a ceremony to be held at a future meeting of the VEC.

Santa (Donal Hurley, An Chistin, George’s Street, Newbridge) and his Elf (Joe Kelly, JC Kelly Barbers, George’s Street, Newbridge) to help launch The George’s Street Christmas Market in Newbridge. 

The market will run on the 8th, 5th and 22nd of December and will feature a range of demonstrations and free workshops including learning how to make your own Christmas cards, cooking demonstrations and Christmas flower arranging. 

Santa Claus will also be there to meet the children and carol singers from the Newbridge Gospel Choir and Stage Academy Newbridge will help to add a festive atmosphere to the street. 

Exhibitors will include jewellery and craft specialists, artisan food suppliers, The Kiosk Flower Shop, An Chistin and bicycle supplier nice.bikes.com among many others. 

Donal Hurley of An Chistin said, “it’s really important for people to remember to shop local and support local businesses this Christmas.”

Exhibition space in the market is free of charge and exhibitors are invited to contact Siobhan Hurley on 086 3623507 or Tracy Maher on 087 9050989 to book a stand.

Workshop on email marketing, presented by spiderworking.com in conjunction with Craddockstown Golf Club, Naas. Co. Kildare Ireland.  The workshop will take place over two evenings and is practical.  Participants should bring their own laptop for full benefit.

There are only 20 places available at €40 per person.  Book your spot now - call 045 897610.

Email marketing is a powerful and cost effective tool for your business. It gives you the opportunity to connect directly with customers and nurture leads.

Over two evenings you will learn how to construct better email newsletters, how to get more subscribers and how to measure your results.

On completion of the course you will have learnt:

• How to build your email marketing list
• The benefits of using software
• How to segment your email list and the benefit of segmentation
• How to create email headings that work
• The different styles of email newsletter and which works for you
• How to measure the results of your email marketing campaigns – what statistics matter
• How to design email templates in Mailchimp
• How to create segmented lists in Mailchimp
• You will also get hands on experience in creating an email marketing campaign using Mailchimp either individually or in groups.

Where: Craddockstown Golf Club, Naas, Co. Kildare. Map here.

When: 3rd & 4th December 2012 6pm- 8pm

Cost: €40

Booking: 045 897610

Hurricane Fly looks set to make his much anticipated seasonal debut at this weekend’s Punchestown Winter Festival Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th November. There are a total of seven entries remaining in the feature race of the two day fixture, the Grade 1 Dobbins & Madigans Morgiana Hurdle.

Joining Irelands leading hurdler are stable mates Blackstairsmountain and Zaidpour, recent Tipperary winner Captain Cee Bee, Edward O’Gradys entry Staying Article and Unaccompanied from the Dermot Weld stable. 

When asked how preparations were going with Hurricane Fly trainer Willie Mullins said “We’re very happy with him this year so far. He came back off grass a much stronger horse and seems to be more forward than he was at this stage last year. He did a nice piece of work recently so we look set for the Morgiana at Punchestown”.

However it appears Hurricane Fly’s main danger comes in the form of triple grade 1 winner Go Native from the Noel Meade stable. Following up on a recent win on the flat in Galway, his trainer  looks forward to Go Natives return to hurdling on Sunday “I was delighted with his performance at Galway and to be honest his turn of foot surprised us a little. He seemed to be right back to his best so we are looking forward to Sunday. Obviously if Hurricane Fly turns up he will be the horse to beat”.

In addition to top class racing there will be an abundance of family entertainment as part of the Ballymore Winter Fair. This fundraising initiative was a huge contributor to the large attendance last year with plenty of free activities for children, up to 60 shopping units in the arts and crafts area and a strong possibility of an early season cameo appearance from Santa Claus.

Dick O’Sullivan, Punchestown General Manager, looks forward to another successful Winter festival “Last year these two days broke records attendance wise for us and we are really looking forward to a great couple of days once more. The Dobbins and Madigans Morgiana Hurdle is a quality race and has once again attracted top class hurdlers. Needless to say Hurricane Fly will be a big draw for racegoers as will the Ballymore fair for families and locals. The efforts of the Ballymore GAA committee are a huge contributing factor to the success of this meeting”.

The Punchestown Winter Festival and Ballymore Fair takes place Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th November. The first of eight races on Saturday goes to post at 11.55am and the seven race card on Sunday gets underway at 12.35pm
 
Admission is just €10 for adults, €7 for students and seniors and all children under 14 race for free.

2012 Dobbins and Madigans Morgiana Hurdle – Grade 1 – 2 miles
Blackstairsmountain
 Captain Cee Bee
 Go Native
 Hurricane Fly
 Staying Article
 Zaidpour
 Unaccompanied
 

Kildare Youth Services Counselling Service has just issued its 2011 Annual Report and emphasises that  key to the longevity and utility of the KYS Counselling Service is the fact that it is a donation based, community youth service staffed by qualified and registered counsellors and volunteer counsellors, and offering a youth friendly and accessible environment for young people.  Crucially, strong links exist to referral agents throughout the targeted communities.

Download the Report here

2011 was a very active year for the counselling service.  The service continued to work in a multi-agency way with other local service providers across the county, and strengthened its involvement in initiatives such as the North Kildare Mental Health Strategy.

In the planning and delivery of a youth counselling service, research has an important role to play, particulary when aiming at the delivery of high-quality counselling services that is challenged to meet the needs of the community in times of financial and budget constraints. The KYS Counselling service engaged in a number of research initiatives in 2011, amongst them playing a central role in a study conducted by  the University of Ulster on behalf of the Health Research Board, titled  ‘Investigation into the needs and issues of youth counselling in Ireland’, a  study into young people’s experience of and utility of counselling services on the Island of Ireland.

The KYS Counselling service was unique in its representation of a counselling service in the Republic. The KYS Counselling service conducted its own research into service users' experience of the service,  as well as parents and guardians experience of participation in the facilitated Step Teen Parenting Courses, and changes they incurred through that participation.

Results were positive all around. Young people’s experience of Self Harm and the importance of Self Care as its combatant led to the 2011 Counselling Service’s production of a Take 5 publication entitled ‘Self Care can Prevent Self Harm’. The Take 5 edition, distributed in workshops and courses, schools, GP surgeries, Garda Stations, libraries and HSE services etc., was aimed at offering a psycho-educational approach to young people, to explore attitudes and involvement in Self  Harming behaviour, and indicate clear ways of moving away from this behaviour. As Eilis Hayes, Researcher, Trinity College Dublin,  in her current study   ‘An Exploration of the Lives of Adolescents (aged 12-18yrs) who self harm’ reports;

“Self harm is one of the most complex problems facing adolescents and one of the least understood by service providers. The incidence of self harm in Ireland has been rising. Highest rates are reported in adolescents and young people compared to other age groups with 2,000 presentations to hospital in 2009 (NSRF, 2009)”

The KYS Counselling Service played a contributory role in this important study in 2011.
  
Providing workshops and stands into schools and other public institutions on a variety of peer issues such as bullying, respect, self esteem, coping with bereavement, healthy lifestyle and mental health resulted in collaboration with primary and secondary schools across the region. In total, the Service received 1681  telephone calls into the service, a replica number of calls as 2010. However 10% of these calls were crisis calls , up 3% on 2010 figures. Onward referrals to crisis intervention services (such as Pieta House, GP,  HSE CAMHS) at 40% and also the addiction specialist services (HALO; ARAS) at 23% accounted for the highest percentage of onward referrals from the counselling service. One in ten onward referrals resulted from the desire by a referrer for a young person to be seen immediately for counselling sessions.  

In 2011 the Counselling Service received 297 referrals into the service, with a 108% increase in referrals into the Newbridge list from 2010. In 2011 50% of the referral base came from Mid county (into Naas and Newbridge lists), with 33% in the North (into Leixlip and Celbridge lists) and 17% from South of the County (into Kildare town and Athy).  49% of the referral base came from parents and guardians (an increased of 5% on the previous year) and added together with the 16% of referrals coming from young people themselves , two thirds of referrals come directly from the community,  demonstrating the continued and central embededness of the Service amongst the communities of Kildare County.  A high number of referrals continued to be received from the Social Work department (14%) and 7% came from the health and mental health services. 245 young people were newly assessed in the service in 2011, a 13% increase on 2010 figures.

2011 saw the very successful facilitation of four parenting courses in the county through the year (Naas, Athy, Celbridge and The Curragh).   91 parents and guardians were offered places on the courses and the course continues to create self facilitating groups across the country who, upon completion of the 8 week course, meet as a support network. 

The Genealogy Roadshow is back for another series!
 
We’re travelling the country to meet people with extraordinary stories and are delighted to announce that we'll be making one of our programmes in the Kildare area.

Hosted by Derek Mooney, RTE’s hit genealogy series The Genealogy Roadshow is returning to screens next year and once again they are keen to help as many people as possible find their place in history!

Last year The Roadshow’s crack historical and genealogical team helped hundreds of ordinary people trace their family’s roots and discover extraordinary stories from their past.  The Collins family from Boston were reunited with long lost relations in Co Galway, the experts helped Paul Duffy from Co Meath trace the owner of a mysterious 1858 passport and they even found evidence of a link between Glen Webb from Dublin and the Arctic explorer Ernest Shackleton.

You may be related to famous names of our colonial past like Edmund Burke or Arthur Wellesley, better known as the Duke of Wellington. Or perhaps you’ve heard of a family link to a Hollywood icon or a sporting legend. There are revolutionary heroes like Robert Emmet and Anne Devlin. Do you suspect that you could be a descendant? And then there are literary idols like Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker. Have you been told that you are related?
 
But it’s not just family connections to politicians, entertainers or sports personalities that they can help prove? Perhaps you have always wondered whether one of your relations was involved in a dramatic part of local or national history? Perhaps you need help in tracing a missing branch of the family or you have a mysterious family document, heirloom or object that you just can’t explain.  If there is any kind of mystery in your family tree, then the team of experts can help you solve it.

Tell them the story and they will search for the evidence.

People who are interested in finding out more should contact genealogy@bigmountainproductions.com or call Ciara on 04830834046

Or go to www.bigmountainproductions.com for a form.

At the recent launch of the 2013 European Rallycross Championship (ERC) there was good news for Irish Rallycross fans with the inclusion of Mondello Park on the provisional calendar.

The popular European series is set for a major boost next season with the appointment of global sports, fashion and media company IMG as its promoter and the announcement of a major sponsorship deal with Monster Energy. Mondello Park is included on the ten round 2013 calendar, but the event remains provisional subject to final agreement between IMG and Mondello Park, and circuit approval by the FIA.

The circuits inclusion marks the first time Ireland has been part of the European championship calendar since the mid nineties. During its previous stint at Mondello Park the Irish events were the undoubted highlight of the season, attracting spectator numbers which have rarely been matched since.

Speaking of the circuits inclusion in the provisional 2013 ERC calendar Mondello Park managing director John Morris said, “ We were approached by IMG with a view to running a round and it’s all looking very positive. Although we already have an FIA International Grade 4 Licence, this doesn’t cover Rallycross, but the required works to the Rallycross track shouldn’t prove insurmountable“.

The growing popularity of the ERC and an August date for the Mondello event, mean that the circuits management are confident that the spectacular European Rallycross events of the past will be more than matched by the current championship.

The 2013 calendar is yet to be approved by the FIA but it is expected to be ratified in early December. Once the Mondello Park date is confirmed further details of the event format will be released.

It's hard to believe, but it is coming towards the end of the year and Christmas is on our doorstep.  Christmas is a time for families and friends to reunite and celebrate.  It is a time when we exchange gifts to loved ones; socks for Dad, perfume for Mum, a box of chocolates for your work colleagues and a bottle of wine for your neighbours.  This year why not choose a gift that will have a lasting impact far beyond Christmas? The Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) have a selection of "good natured gifts" on offer for you to choose from.  Good natured gifts are a donation towards wildlife.  This donation goes towards maintaining and restoring habitats and monitoring wildlife in Ireland. 

Nuala Madigan, Education Officer with the Irish Peatland Conservation Council commented ‘there is nothing better than hearing the sound of croaking frogs on a Spring morning as they lay spawn in wetlands; a €15 good natured frog gift would support the IPCC in maintaining and restoring wetlands, and allow the IPCC to continue to monitor frog populations nationally’.
 
There are many different types of good natured gifts.  The Bog of Allen Nature Centre offers family passes for the year for only €25.  This pass supports the conservation of peatlands in Ireland and gives your family free entrance to the centre throughout the year.  Adults can explore the gardens and peatland exhibitions while younger visitors get a hands on experience of Irish wildlife through pond dipping for minibeasts and searching for newts and frogs.  The Marsh Fritillary is a butterfly that is endangered throughout Europe, for €20 you can adopt a Marsh Fritillary butterfly.  Your adoption will help the IPCC to manage a site in Kildare where the butterfly is breeding and where we monitor the number of nest sites of the butterfly on the site.  Joining the IPCC as a Friend of the Bog for €40 for a year will ensure that you get IPCC’s Peatland News twice a year and free entrance to the Bog of Allen Nature Centre.
 
When Christmas is over, the wine has been drunk, the chocolates have been eaten and the perfume bottle is empty a good natured gift will keep on giving.   Come June young froglets will be emerging from the ponds onto the land around us eating those slugs and snails that may be attacking your vegetable patch, the Marsh Fritillary will be fluttering past as you enjoy a walk in the countryside, in Spring and Autumn you will be settling down to read your Peatland News magazine with a cup of tea or you will be enjoying a  day out at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre with family or friends. Christmas is a time for family and friends but this year why not choose a gift that will keep on giving throughout the year in a very enjoyable way.
 
If you would like to purchase a good natured gift you can choose your gift by visiting the website of the IPCC at www.ipcc.ie and make your purchase through our secure paypal account or alterntaively you can e-mail the IPCC at bogs@ipcc.ie or phone 045-860133 and we will send you a catalogue.
 

When you next attend one of Mondello Park's driving experiences you should probably take careful note of just who is instructing you, as you could be sitting beside a future Motor Racing Star and maybe even a possible Formula One driver.

As Ireland's premier Driving Experience venue, Mondello Park has always prided itself on the standard of its instructors. Over the years a number of drivers who have competed a very high level have worked at the circuits Motor Racing School and on its corporate driving days.

While working for Mondello Park our instructors careers have taken them to such lofty heights as the Indy Lights Championship in the USA, The European Formula 3 Championship, British Touring Car Championship and Formula One Grand Prix support series, the Porsche Supercup. That long list of achievements by current and former Mondello Park instructors reached a new height recently when one former instructor became the first to test a modern Formula One car and a current instructor became the first Republic of Ireland driver to win a BTCC race.

German Touring Car (DTM) racer Susie Wolff, was nominated as a Williams development driver earlier this year and last week she finally got the chance to drive for the famous team in a test at Silverstone. Wolff, who is from Oban in Scotland, had been working with the Williams simulator up till recently, but now has 100km of Formula One running under her belt, making her the most successful driver ever to have worked for Mondello Park.

Susie, then known as Stoddart, was competing in Formula Renault when she worked for Mondello Park and was always considered to be a star of the future. The circuit would now like to congratulate her on her achievements so far, not only on reaching Formula One but also on her seven year career in the DTM where she is one of the most popular racers with the fans.

Aron Smith recently joined the Mondello Park team where he works as a race school instructor in between his outings in the British Touring Car Championship. Smith is a former Renault Clio Cup race winner and graduated to the the BTCC this season. Having steadily improved all year the Dubliner took his first victory at the final event of the season, at Brands Hatch, to become the first Irish driver to taste BTCC success since Newtownards' Steven Kane in 2010.

If you would like to receive instruction from the best then Mondello Park is the place to go. To book a place on one of our range of Race, Supercar, Drifting and Off-Road experiences see mondellopark.ie.